Budget 2018 to build deep capabilities in firms and people: Minister

The upcoming Budget's focus on helping companies innovate and transform was highlighted yet again yesterday by Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong in a Facebook post about his recent visit to local life-science manufacturer Esco Group.

Commending its transformation over the years and its current research and development efforts, Mr Wong said: "We want to facilitate more of such corporate-level innovation and transformation.

"Budget 2018 will continue with efforts to build deep capabilities in our firms and people, and forge stronger partnerships at all levels."

Mr Wong, who is also Second Minister for Finance, visited Esco Group's facilities in Ayer Rajah Crescent on Wednesday.

Esco was formed in 1978, providing clean-room solutions for the then booming electronics industry.

In 2000, as market conditions changed, it shifted its focus to laboratory and biological safety equipment.